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The New York Yankees have been relatively quiet this off-season, but they are still expected to make a splash by signing one of the top free agents. Who will it be?
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The Yankees’ Current Roster
The New York Yankees are a baseball team that is part of the American League East division. The Yankees are one of the most successful teams in baseball history, winning 27 World Series championships. The Yankees have had many great players over the years, such as Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Derek Jeter. The team is currently looking to add more talented players to their roster.
The Yankees’ starting lineup
The Yankees’ starting lineup is full of All-Stars and former MVPs. The team’s lineup is so deep that they often have to make tough decisions about who to start and who to sit on a given day. The team’s depth is one of their biggest strengths, and it helps them win a lot of games.
The Yankees’ starting pitching rotation
The Yankees’ starting pitching rotation is currently composed of Masahiro Tanaka, Luis Severino, CC Sabathia, Sonny Gray, and Jordan Montgomery. The Yankees are looking to upgrade their starting pitching rotation this off-season and have been linked to marquee free-agent pitchers such as Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg. Stay tuned to see who the Yankees sign this off-season!
The Yankees’ bullpen
The Yankees bullpen is an area of need for the team this off-season. They currently have Aroldis Chapman, Dellin Betances, and Zack Britton as their main guys out of the bullpen, but they will need to sign some more relievers to bolster the bullpen. Some names that have been linked to the Yankees are Adam Ottavino, David Robertson, Zach Britton, and Andrew Miller. The Yankees will also look to re-sign Justin Wilson.
The Yankees’ Off-Season Needs
The New York Yankees have several needs that they will look to fill this off-season. They need to find a starting pitcher, a corner outfielder, and a middle infielder. They also need to decide whether or not to bring back third baseman Alex Rodriguez. The Yankees have a lot of work to do this off-season if they want to compete for a World Series title.
The Yankees’ needs at catcher
The Yankees’ have been linked to a number of catchers this offseason, but they have yet to make a move. The team’s top priority appears to be re-signing Aroldis Chapman, but they also have several other needs.
At catcher, the Yankees have been linked to Jason Castro and Matt Wieters. They could also look to trade for a catcher, with J.T. Realmuto and Yasmani Grandal being two possible targets. The Yankees have also been rumored to be interested in free agent Tony Wolters.
The Yankees’ need to upgrade their catching situation is well-documented. Current starter Gary Sanchez has struggled both offensively and defensively, and backup Austin Romine is not viewed as an everyday player. Castro would be an upgrade offensively, while Wieters would provide more of a defensive boost. Realmuto would be the best option of the bunch, but he would likely cost the Yankees a significant amount in terms of prospects.
The Yankees’ needs in the outfield
The Yankees have emphasized their need for pitching this offseason, but they also have outfield holes to fill. The loss of Aaron Judge to injury for a chunk of the 2019 season showed how the Yankees don’t really have an outfield depth. There are a few ways the Yankees can fill these needs.
One way is via trade. The Yankees have been linked to many outfielders including Toronto’s Jackie Bradley Jr. and Cincinnati’s Nick Senzel. Bradley Jr. would be a great addition as he is a great defender and can hit for power. Senzel is an up-and-coming player who has the potential to be a star. He would be a great addition to the Yankees’ lineup for years to come.
Another way the Yankees can fill their outfield needs is through free agency. Among the free agent outfielders, the Yankees have been linked to Marcell Ozuna, Nicholas Castellanos, and Michael Brantley. Ozuna would be a great fit as he hits for power and average while playing good defense. Castellanos is another bat-first player who could provide some pop in the middle of the lineup. Brantley is more of a contact hitter but he too can play good defense and would be a solid addition to the top or bottom of the order.
The last way the Yankees could fill their outfield needs is via internal options. The most likely option from within is Clint Frazier. Frazier has electric talent but hasn’t been able to put it all together at the Major League level yet. If he can finally put it all together, he could be a force in the middle of the lineup and provide solid defense in left field. In addition, Brett Gardner could move to center field with Mike Tauchman and/or Adam Hicks manning one of the corner outfield spots. Tauchman showed some promise last year while Hicks is an intriguing option who didn’t get much opportunity last year due to injury but has shown some upside in his minor league career.
The Yankees have several options to choose from to fill their outfield needs this offseason whether it be through trade, free agency, or internal options. It will be interesting to see which route they ultimately decide to go down in order to improve their team for 2020 and beyond
The Yankees’ needs at starting pitcher
The Yankees need to sign a starting pitcher this off-season. They need someone who can go out there and pitch well in the big innings. We’ve seen too many times already this season how their starters have failed to come through in the big moments.
Sonny Gray is the only starter who has been consistently good for them this season, but even he has had his share of bad outings. The rest of the rotation has been a revolving door of mediocrity.
Jordan Montgomery, Luis Severino, and Masahiro Tanaka have all had their moments, but each of them has also been inconsistent. The Yankees need someone who can come in and be a stabilizing force in the rotation.
Some names that have been bandied about as potential targets for the Yankees include Chris Sale, Justin Verlander, and Gerrit Cole. All three would be significant upgrades to the current roster and would give the Yankees a lethal 1-2-3 punch at the top of their rotation.
Current starting pitcher CC Sabathia will be a free agent after this season, so it’s possible that he could return to fill one of the openings in the rotation. However, at 37 years old, it’s uncertain how much he has left in the tank. The Yankees will need to sign at least one top-tier starter this off-season if they want to have any chance of competing for a World Series title next year.
The Yankees’ Potential Free Agent Targets
The Yankees have some big decisions to make this off-season. They have several free agents that they need to decide whether or not to bring back, and they also have to decide who to target in free agency. The Yankees have been linked to several free agents, so let’s take a look at some of their potential targets.
Catchers
The Yankees have been linked to a few different catcher options this offseason with J.T. Realmuto being at the top of their list. They’ve also been linked to trade targets like Willson Contreras and Yasmani Grandal. However, they might not be willing to spend the money necessary to get Realmuto, so they could go after a cheaper option like Travis d’Arnaud or Robinson Chirinos.
Outfielders
Brett Gardner – After posting a .403 OBP in 2019, the 37-year-old will certainly have suitors this offseason. The Yankees may not be one of them, though, as they appear to be content with their current outfield rotation.
Michael Brantley – One of the more underrated outfielders in recent memory, Brantley has been a force at the plate and in the field for the Astros over the last two seasons. He turns 32 in May, so he should have a few good years left in him. The Yankees have been linked to him in the past, so they could make a push to sign him this offseason.
Marcell Ozuna – After signing a one-year deal with the Cardinals last offseason, Ozuna had a solid year at the plate, hitting .241/.328/.472 with 29 home runs. He’s still just 29 years old, so he could be an enticing target for the Yankees this offseason.
Avisail Garcia – Garcia had a breakout season for the Rays in 2019, hitting .282/.332/.464 with 20 home runs. He’s only 28 years old, so he could be a steal for the Yankees if they can sign him this offseason.
Starting pitchers
The Yankees are in need of starting pitching this off-season and there are a few pitchers who would be great fits for the team.
One pitcher who would be a great fit for the Yankees is Gerrit Cole. Cole is one of the best pitchers in baseball and would be a huge addition to the Yankees’ rotation. Cole is a big strikeout pitcher and would excel in Yankee Stadium. Another reason why Cole would be a great fit for the Yankees is because he is from California and grew up a Yankees fan.
Another potential target for the Yankees is Madison Bumgarner. Bumgarner is a veteran pitcher who has had success in the playoffs. Bumgarner has pitched well in big games and would be a valuable addition to the Yankees’ rotation. Bumgarner is also from North Carolina, so he could potentially be interested in pitching for the Yankees.
The last potential target for the Yankees is Hyun-Jin Ryu. Ryu is coming off a fantastic season with the Los Angeles Dodgers and would be a great addition to the Yankees’ rotation. Ryu pitched well in Yankee Stadium last season, so he should feel comfortable pitching there again. Ryu is from South Korea, so he could also be interested in pitching for the Yankees.
The Yankees’ Potential Trade Targets
After a disappointing end to the 2019 season, the Yankees are looking to make some moves this off-season. They have been linked to a few potential trade targets, including Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg. Let’s take a look at some of the other names that have been mentioned.
Catchers
The Yankees have been linked to a number of possible trade targets this off-season, including a number of catchers. The Yankees currently have Gary Sanchez penciled in as their starting catcher, but they could definitely use some help behind the plate. Here are some of the catchers that the Yankees have been linked to in trade rumors:
J.T. Realmuto, Miami Marlins: Realmuto is probably the best catcher in baseball, and he would be a huge upgrade for the Yankees. However, the Marlins are reportedly asking for a king’s ransom in return for Realmuto, and it remains to be seen if the Yankees are willing to pay that price.
Yasmani Grandal, Los Angeles Dodgers: Grandal is a solid all-around catcher who would be a nice upgrade for the Yankees. The Dodgers are said to be open to trading him this off-season, but it remains to be seen if the two sides can reach a deal.
Wilson Ramos, Tampa Bay Rays: Ramos is coming off of a down year, but he is still one of the better catchers in baseball. The Rays are reportedly open to trading him this off-season, but it remains to be seen if the Yankees are interested.
Outfielders
One of the Yankees’ main priorities this off-season is to bolster their outfield depth. Here are some of the potential trade targets that they could pursue:
-Brett Gardner: Gardner is a veteran outfielder who played a key role for the Yankees last season. He is a solid defender and can play all three outfield positions. Gardner would be a great addition to the Yankees’ outfield depth.
-Jacoby Ellsbury: Ellsbury is another experienced outfielder who can play all three outfield positions. He is a great base runner and has a lot of speed. Ellsbury would be a great addition to the Yankees’ outfield depth.
-Carlos Beltran: Beltran is an experienced outfielder who can play all three outfield positions. He is a great hitter and has a lot of power. Beltran would be a great addition to the Yankees’ outfield depth.
Starting pitchers
The Yankees pitching staff was a major weakness in 2020, and the team will be looking to upgrade in several areas this off-season. Starting pitching is one of the most glaring needs, as the Yankees currently don’t have a true ace. They will be looking to add at least one top-of-the-rotation starter this off-season, and they have been linked to several high-profile pitchers.
Here are some of the starting pitchers that the Yankees have been linked to this off-season:
Gerritt Cole
Cole is the top free agent pitcher on the market, and he would be a massive upgrade for the Yankees. Cole is coming off of a Cy Young-caliber season in which he went 7-4 with a 2.84 ERA. He would immediately become the Yankees’ ace if he signed with the team.
Trevor Bauer
Bauer had a breakout season in 2020, winning the NL Cy Young Award after going 5-4 with a 1.73 ERA. He would be a great addition to the Yankees’ rotation, and he would give them another young star to build around. Bauer has said that he would like to play for the Yankees, so they could be a team to watch in his free agency.
Yu Darvish
Darvish had a down year in 2020, but he is still one of the best pitchers in baseball when he is at his best. Darvish would be a solid addition to the Yankees’ rotation, and he could potentially be had for a discount due to his down year.
These are just some of the starting pitchers that the Yankees have been linked to this off-season. It remains to be seen who they will ultimately sign, but it is clear that they are looking to upgrade their pitching staff this off-season.
